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Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell previews Big 12 championship game vs Arizona State
Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell on Arizona State’s offense
Hear what Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell said about Arizona State’s offense ahead of the Big 12 championship.
AMES — Less than a week ago, Iowa State football made history.
The No. 16 Cyclones finished the regular season with a win, beating Kansas State 29-21, to secure a 10-win season for the first time in program history.
But the team’s focus quickly turned from celebration to preparation for the Big 12 championship game, where the Cyclones will take on No. 13 Arizona State at 11 a.m. Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
Here are three takeaways from head coach Matt Campbell’s media availability ahead of the title game.
Arizona State poses several threats on offense
There’s been a lot of focus on the loss of Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State’s 1,000-yard receiver – who will miss the Big 12 championship with an injury.
But that doesn’t mean the Sun Devils are out of options on offense. Wide receiver Xavier Guillory totaled 291 yards and three touchdowns on 17 receptions, averaging 17.12 yards per catch. Tight end Chamon Metayer is another threat, recording 285 yards and five touchdowns on 28 catches.
And then there is running back Cam Skattebo, who is just as big a threat catching passes as he is running the football.
“They’re dynamic,” Campbell said of Arizona State’s offense. “They have such a unique ability to put the pressure on the defense in every way, shape and form. Obviously, you never want to lose a good football player this time of year.
“But good football teams have great players, and they’ve certainly got a collection of those guys.”
Arizona State’s turnover margin could cause problems
If there is one thing that the Sun Devils do well, it’s create turnovers.
Arizona State boasts a turnover margin of plus-11, meaning it has caused nearly a dozen more turnovers than they’ve given up. That margin of 11 is the 11th-best among all FBS teams.
The Sun Devils recovered five fumbles and have lost three. But the real difference is in interceptions, where Arizona State has 14 to its opponents’ cumulative five.
“Just look at their last four games, they’ve been able to create turnovers early and often,” Campbell said. “Whether it’s been on defense or whether it’s been on special teams, they’ve had the ability to attack and certainly be the aggressor.”
Iowa State injury update
It feels like each week, there is a laundry list of injury updates on injured players, and the week heading into the conference championship is no different.
Campbell provided updates on linebackers Caleb Bacon and Cael Brezina, defensive back Mailk Verdon and tight end Ben Brahmer.
“Caleb is back doing football activity, and I think he’s a lot closer than he is farther away,” Campbell said. “He’s still not ruled out for the season, so I think that’s a huge positive for Iowa State football.
“Ben’s a lot closer, was out on the practice field today. Where is he, can he really go in and play? We’ll see as the week continues. Cael is probably still a question mark right now, and then Malik, was out at practice today, so I think there’s a real possibility that he would be able to be available for us.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
One of the top Iowa high school football prospects in the state has made his college decision official.
Iowa City Regina High School senior-to-be Tate Wallace has announced he has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference. Wallace picked the Golden Gophers and head coach PJ Fleck over a finalists Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State and Wisconsin.
Wallace narrowed down his list of schools to six at the end of April before making his final decision.
Iowa City Regina Football Standout Tate Wallace Ranked As No. 2 Overall Prospect In Iowa High School Football
The 6-foot-2, 226-pound linebacker is considered the No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Iowa for high school football, and is the No. 21 linebacker in the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports.
In the 247Sports Composite rankings, Wallace is No. 2 in Iowa high school football, No. 29 at linebacker and No. 359 for the Class of 2027.
Along With Minnesota, Tate Wallace Currently Holds Offers From Schools Such As Arizona, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Iowa State
Wallace currently holds 16 total offers including from the previously mentioned Minnesota, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Kansas State, Purdue, Tennessee, West Virginia, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, UNLV, North Dakota and North Dakota State.
As a junior, Wallace registered almost 50 tackles on defense, with 29 of them being counted as solo stops. He had 18 tackles for loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks and forced two fumbles, as Iowa City Regina advanced to the state championship game of the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Football Championships.
Future Minnesota Golden Gopher Has Been Key Two-Way Starter For Regals
Wallace also hauled in 40 passes for 611 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns on offense for the Regals. As a two-way player for Iowa City Regina during his sophomore season, Wallace had 27.5 tackles, including 16 solo stops, four tackles for loss and a quarterback sack, adding 51 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns.
Back in March, Wallace announced seven spring visits to Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Kansas State and Arizona State. He also visited Tennessee this past fall, taking in an SEC contest with the Volunteers.
Along with his success on the football field, Wallace helped lead the Regals to the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Basketball Tournament this past winter. He earned High School on SI all-state honors in the process.
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IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.
Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.
While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.
Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.
“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.
Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.
“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.
Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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